Capturing Broadway Memories

See the full gallery in my portfolio!

Almost two years ago, I had the honor of performing in The Sound of Music at The Lexington Theatre Company. I played Brigitta, and Kelly Belarmino was cast as Liesl. She instantly became like a true older sister to me, and all of the von Trapp kids. She was always so sweet, encouraging, and kind, not to mention incredibly talented. Getting to work with, and learn from, her made my first regoinal, professional theatre experience even more special. 

Kelly recently made her Broadway debut in the Tony-nominated revival of Pirates! The Penzance Musical, playing a Stanley Daughter and understudying the role of Mabel. When I was planning my trip to New York, and realized the show's opening would be the same week, I reached out  and asked if I could take photos of her backstage getting ready for the red carpet. I told her I knew it was a lot to ask, because equity rules can complicate things like that. After a few days of waiting, Kelly confirmed me to follow her backstage. I was so excited-this was something I'd always wanted to do. I was nervous too, though, because I'd never done a follow or dressing room photography before and wasn't sure exactly what to expect. I studied a lot of Jenny Anderson's backstage photos for inspiration while I was preparing for this. 

Then, on April 24, it was time. I got to go to the Roundabout Theatre Co. a couple hours prior to the cast red carpet. Following the direction of the wonderful press team (Chaliece and Ashlyn with Polk and Co.), I got to go backstage to Kelly's dressing room and followed her from getting ready through the carpet. I photographed her doing her makeup and hair, with her cast, on the carpet, and I took some solo portraits of her outside on the balcony of the theatre. She is always beautiful, and this day she was nothing less than radiant. 

It was so fun and an incredible experience. As an actress/theatre kid myself, I know how important the moments backstage are-quiet moments, loud moments, joyful moments, moments alone, moments with friends. This is what the audience never really sees, and not only getting to be on the other side of the curtain and witness this joy but being able to capture the moments and memories was something I'll never forget. And getting to photograph my "show sister" on her first Broadway opening was beyond amazing. 

I got to see the show a few days later, and it was wonderful to watch Kelly perform on her first (but certainly not last) Broadway stage. Pirates! was such a fun and playful show with so much heart and the whole cast was so talented. 

I'm so thankful for this opportunity and experience. Thank you Kelly, for allowing me into this special place on this very special day and for sharing some of the magic with me. I couldn't be more grateful.

You can see Pirates! The Penzance Musical playing now at Roundabout Theatre Company.

Looking Back: A Year After Suffs

One year ago today, I stood on the purple carpet of Suffs. I was nervous, and excited too. Little did I know how much this show, and this carpet would change my life.

I had gotten into NYC a few days before the carpet, and I woke up that morning thinking, "Today's the day!" I got ready and before I knew it I was on my way to the beautiful Music Box Theatre. The carpet was set up and I took my place on the risers. I met the photographers around me, all of whom are some of the kindest people I know. The experience of being on this carpet was amazing. The people I met- photographers, journalists, actresses- all of them are so kind and genuine. And then there's just the experience of being on my first Broadway red carpet, being able to photograph so many incredible people, some walking their very first Broadway carpet, some seasoned veterans of Broadway, but all with the same joy. Getting to capture that joy was an honor and such an amazing opportunity.

I also got to see the show and it instantly became my favorite show. The music is beautiful, the story is beautiful, and the actresses on stage portrayed the highs and lows perfectly.

A year after Suffs, my life has changed so much. A month after the purple carpet, I started taking photos of adoptable pets at my local animal shelter, and it's still one of my favorite projects. I got to photograph another Broadway carpet in February, Redwood. And of course, I've been practicing and expanding my skills in portraiture, nature, and more.

Suffs' purple carpet has brought me so much in just one year- experiences, opportunities, relationships- it's truly changed my life in a year, and I'm so grateful for that.

Redwood Opening Night

To see all my photos from the Redwood Red Carpet, please visit the full gallery.

One of my goals for 2025 was to photograph another Broadway red carpet. And on February 13th, I did exactly that.

I had such an incredible experience last year photographing the red carpet for the Tony-winning show Suffs (see the full gallery), and since then I've been interested in photographing another. When I found out that Idina Menzel was returning to Broadway in a new musical called Redwood, I knew I wanted to see it-it's been TEN YEARS since Idina Menzel has led a Broadway show- and I also knew I'd love to photograph it.

At the beginning of January, I reached out to Redwood's social media and asked if I could photograph the carpet. However, they didn't respond to the message, and by the beginning of February, I had given up the idea of photographing this show and was thinking about the next opportunities. I reached out to the incredible Jenny Anderson about something else and casually mentioned that Redwood hadn't responded. She then connected me with the PR team, and so I reached out and asked again. To my surprise and excitement, they said yes!

We planned a last-minute trip up to the city, and a few days before the event, we flew up. Before I knew it, it was Thursday-the day of the opening. We had lunch with a wonderful friend, and then it was time to get ready. I was nervous, but I was excited too. The outdoor carpet, for celebrity attendees, took place right in front of the Nederlander Theatre, which Redwood calls home. This packed pre-show event included Gayle King, Miguel Cervantes, Amy Poehler, Betsy Wolfe, Caissie Levy, and more. I had so many fun interactions-one of my favorites was with Sara Bareilles, who's excitement at seeing me was so sweet. She had a similar reaction when she spotted me on the Suffs carpet, and I'm now certain that she's one of the sweetest, most genuine and fun humans.

After the show ended, I got to go into the theatre at the end of the show to photograph the curtain call and bows, which was so much fun. After the curtain call, the photographers walked a few blocks to the Edison Ballroom, and soon after the cast came to walk the smaller indoor red carpet in the press room at the Edison. Getting to photograph this outstanding cast was so incredible, and getting to photograph Idina, especially, was such an honor and such an amazing experience. The cast went through and took solo photos first, then they took full-cast photos. When the cast was doing a group photo with Tina Landau, the writer, co-creator, director, and co-lyricist, and Kate Diaz, the composer and co-lyricist, they actually cheered for me! It was such an incredible moment and one that I won't soon forget.

Throughout the night, I got to talk with several of the other photographers, videographers, and theatre journalists, all of whom were so kind and supportive. A few offered great advice, and many generously helped me get the attention of those walking the carpets. They were so helpful, and it was so nice to meet them.

I got to see the show the night after the carpet. It was incredible and beautiful. Really beautiful. The five cast members on stage were amazing and it was such an honor to watch them perform. The technology used in the set design mixed with the sheer power of their voices and acting was so uniquely incredible and something I won't forget.

I'm so grateful for this opportunity. It was so much fun, I met so many kind and amazing people,and I'm so glad I once again got to be a small part of the magic.

You can see Redwood now at the Nederlander Theatre.